Ben hung his head and hugged his knees to his chest. The cockatrice warbled and nudged its nose against his leg. Ben ignored it. "I can't believe I'm stuck here with a love-struck Goblin." Ben absently rubbed the cockatrice's head. "Who knew goblins could even feel love?"
The cockatrice tilted its head into Ben's fingers with a satisfied hum.
Ben lifted his head and stared at the closed door of the witch's guest bedroom.
The door inched open a fraction.
The cockatrice froze.
The witch's familiar strolled into the room. The imp's wings hung dejectedly behind hits back. It's tail drooped. "Love." It sighed. "Oh absolutely terrible."
Ben rolled his eyes. "Yes, it must be awful, having a mistress in love."
"You don't understand." Anger flashed red in the imp's eyes. "She used to need me. I'd fetch things for her to concoct dastardly devious potions or cast awe-inspiring spells." The imp flopped onto the bed. "Now she just makes googly eyes at your goblin."
Ben grimaced.
"I know." The imp hung its head over the side of the bed and stared at the white carpet.
Scooping the cockatrice in both hands, Ben stood. "Well, why don't we go on an adventure?"
"Together?" The imp snorted.
Ben folded his arms over his chest.
The imp stopped laughing and gaped at Ben. "You're serious?"
"It'd be better than sitting around here, moping, all day."
The imp shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen?"
YOU ARE READING
Ben's Hen
FantasyIn a world ruled by dragons, one boy hatches a cockatrice on a whim. His mother wants to destroy it, but he loves it. *I'm open to suggestions* I write the story, but you help shape it. It's a bit of an experimental "Choose Your Own Adventure".
